Cowen - Update: Practicing with Team

You've got to give these guys some credit..3 AHL defenceman stepping in and this team being in the 6th position in the east. They aren't perfect.. but have done an awesome job considering.

I was referring specifically to on the PP. He has been pretty good for the team and given the circumstances that's something not to be overlooked. The thing is though, if the PP is all that he has over Gryba, I don't see it being enough especially when I think he's been playing the same side as Cowen does and Gryba has played the opposite.

I think all in all the lock out helped us tremendously with our D prospects. Each of them improved vastly from the previous season and did not have the weight of trying to make the big club in September. They came in and knew where they were going to be and what they had to do. With so many roster players out they've carried the load considerably well. I don't think guys like Wiercioch or Gryba would have been as solid in the NHL in October. The confidence gained by the hot start and solid play in Bingo is shining through on these kids. When Cowen comes back our D becomes that much better. We know our depth going into the playoffs is going to be remarkable. It gives PM and BM a lot of options when the time comes.

thats awesome! perfect game to put him in, the canes are slumping, not a physical team and cowen can be eased in to the line up slowly. Great news, hopefully he is 100% ready. Cant wait to see his development

Those pairings seem weird to me, I guess this means we're easing Cowen back in and drastically reducing Gryba's TOI while giving Phillips the ES time? Maybe we roll 3 defensive pairings pretty evenly? All the puck movement is on one line... not sure how I'd try to address that though.

I think its because the side (Phillips, Cowen and Wier are all better on the left side, Gonch and Gryba at the right). The question is can Methot play the right side? Methot can play the first pass very well, so Cowen can do that too. If it dosent work PMac can adjust it in the Game and go to 3-62, 46-55, 2-4